The Best Body Boards

Buying Guide for Body Boards

Why buy a body board?

If you spend time near or around the ocean, buying your body board is a fun, affordable way to make the most of your time at the beach. Also known unofficially as boogie boards, body boards are very similar to surfboards. As mentioned, bodyboarding is much easier to learn than surfing. The whole family, young or old, can enjoy riding body boards together. Body boards also allow you to ride much smaller waves closer to shore than surfboards but can still handle larger waves just fine; if anything, you’re less likely to wipe out on a body board. They’re less expensive and flexible, and since they’re made out of foam, they are lightweight and easy to carry.

What should you look for in a body board?

• Length: Body boards range from 33 to 46 inches (roughly 2.75 to 3.83 feet). There may be a few slightly shorter or taller models, but nothing too drastically different. It’s recommended you pick a board that comes up to your waist at full height, but it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. Also, consider whether you’ll be catching shorter waves in the shallows or bigger ones a little further from shore. Shorter body boards are better for bigger waves since they’re more agile and easier to maneuver, while a bigger board will give you better buoyancy in shallower waters. A taller board is also a better choice if you ever want to try kneeling or standing on your body board.
• Core: When looking at body boards, you’ll likely see several different cores listed; while all body boards are made from foam, there is a slight variance between the internal foam types that make up the board. EPS (a type of extruded polyester), PE (Polyethylene), and PP (Polypropylene) cores are the most common. EPS cores are considered best for beginners as they’re strong, buoyant, offer cushioning for your belly and limbs, and are water-resistant. PE and PP cores, on the other hand, provide greater agility and maneuverability, so intermediate and advanced body boarders often prefer them. In particular, PE cores are flexible, are especially suited to cooler water, and handle larger waves very well. PP cores are preferred for experienced and pro body boarders due to their lightweight yet strong build. It can handle even the biggest waves and is perfect for executing technical maneuvers and tricks.
• Tail Shape: The back end of body boards mostly come in two different shapes, a crescent tail and a bat tail. Crescent tails, which are more common, are exactly what they sound like, gently curving inward in a crescent moon or half-circle shape. This tail shape is better at catching waves and all-around body boarding and is thus preferred by experienced body boarders. Bat tails have more of a wavy shape. They’re a bit lighter and offer better floatation properties, so they’re the better choice for unpredictable conditions or shallower, smaller, and weaker waves.

Are there any other features to look for in body boards?

As with surfboards, you’ll want to invest in a body board with a leash, string, or coil you can attach to your wrist or bicep while riding the waves. This prevents you from losing your body board should you fall off and acts as a safety floatation device that may help prevent drowning. If you buy a body board that doesn’t already have a leash or coil attached, purchase one separately and secure it. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for a body board that comes with a carrying bag included that makes your life easier by increasing the board’s portability and helps to protect your purchase from the sand and sun when not in use. Leaving it for too long in direct sunlight may cause surface damage or even warp the board slightly out of shape. A bag helps prevent this and may even provide extra storage/carrying space for other beach accessories, like sandals or flip-flops.

Our Picks for the Best Body Boards

Pros: If you’re looking for a high-end body board to ride the waves at the beach, you can’t go wrong with this model. Every section of this board, from the durable deck (top side) to the hydrophobic core that offers greater water resistance even if accidentally damaged, is made of the best materials to ensure a high-quality, longer-lasting body board. Due to its extra-stiff body, crescent tail, and PP core, this body board is also well-equipped to handle even the largest ocean waves. Especially since it has dual channels (canals located on the tail of a body board’s skin) for an increased grip on the waves, this board is also available in several medium sizes suitable for most adults’ heights.

Cons: While body boards are usually quite affordable investments, this product is an exception. Also, note that its faster, stiffer build and PP core make it a better choice for body boarders with more experience. Nor does it come with a safety coil; you’ll have to provide your own.

Bottom Line: A top-of-the-line body board that’s great for regular and casual body boarders alike, you won’t have to worry about this product being cheaply made or falling apart after several uses. Adults of all ages and sizes will enjoy riding the waves atop this premium-quality body board.

 

Pros: Most notable about this lightweight body board are its bright colors and prints. There are six possible color options, each with its own unique printed design to suit a broader range of tastes. Each design option is reversible, with more solid but still eye-catching colors on the opposite side. Not only does this give you a stylish, good-looking body board but you’ll appreciate the bright colors if you have young kids; the vibrancy of these boards’ hues means they’re incredibly easy to spot and pick out in the water, making it easier to keep an eye on your children for safety purposes. A leash that you can attach to your wrist or ankle comes pre-attached for additional safety.

Cons: There are only two size options for this body board. Also, note that there is a chance that the print may rub off slightly on your bathing suit, especially if the board isn’t stored and cared for properly.

Bottom Line: Whether you prefer eye-catching, vibrant prints or you want a body board that’s bright enough to spot in the water easily, this is the body board for you. The EPS core ensures that it’s easy to use for all ages, young or old, and it works equally well in pools and lakes and the ocean.

 

Pros: If you’re looking to purchase more than one body board at a time, you’ll get an excellent bang for your buck with this pair of boards; the two together cost much less than buying two individual body boards would run you. Not only will you save money by buying these boards as a set, but they come with many other useful features as well. Both come with wrist leashes for safety purposes, so you won’t have to spend extra money buying your own. They’re UV-resistant to help prevent the bright assorted colors from fading from constant exposure to direct sunlight. The bottoms are also nice and slick, allowing the boards to glide over the waves and water smoothly and with great ease.

Cons: Unfortunately, there aren’t any alternate sizes available for this board—the 40-inch length is your only option, and it has a recommended weight limit of 180 pounds. Nor are there any other colors or designs from which to choose.

Bottom Line: Buying in bulk or sets is almost always the more cost-efficient option, and this pair of body boards is no exception. Whether you’ve got more than one child at home, are buying for yourself and a significant other, or want a spare body board just in case, you receive two quality boards for a reasonable price.

 

Pros: If you’ve had trouble finding a body board long and wide enough to fit your height and frame properly, your search is over—this model was designed for taller and larger people. At 44 inches, it’s on the longer side, suitable for 5’10” and above riders, proportionally extra-wide, and able to hold people who weigh 185 pounds or more. As a bonus, this board is equally suitable for warm and cold water. It’ll function well in many different climates and environments, and it’s extra buoyant so as not to be weighed down by taller riders. It’s also available in several different colors, with the option to buy a set of two boards, should you be shopping for others or want a backup board to keep on hand.

Cons: Since this board was meant for taller and overall bigger people, it’s only available in the specified size. Also bear in mind that the wider body of the board means it’s better suited for smaller waves too.

Bottom Line: If you’re much taller than the average person, it can be hard to find sporting gear and other products that fit your body properly, without having to special or custom order them. Fortunately, this pair of body boards was specifically made to accommodate people who are both bigger and taller so they can enjoy body boarding alongside the rest of the family.

 

Pros: Whether you’ve got children who love to body board or you want to learn for yourself, this board is ideal for either (or both) scenarios. It was made specifically with new riders and small waves in mind, from the EPS core to the lightweight body to the crescent-shaped tail and more. A good-quality coiled safety leash comes built-in to help set your mind at ease. It’s also incredibly sturdy and should last you and your family a good long while. Several color options are available, and you can buy this board in packs of two if desired, which is great for families with multiple children or who all want to go body boarding together.

Cons: The 42-inch size is the only length option, so it may be a bit too big for very young children by themselves. This is also a body board that may benefit from some waxing before use since the top can grow a bit slippery when wet.

Bottom Line: This board was made specifically with younger beginner body boarders in mind so you won’t have to worry about it being too hard for your little one to control or maneuver.

Final Thoughts

Body boarding is one of the simplest to learn yet most fun activities you can take part in during a day at the beach. Investing in your own body board not only allows you to partake in this activity whenever you wish but provides you with a fun sporting accessory for any body of water you might visit.